Career Assistance for SHU Students and Alumni

Dear Alumni,

I hope that you and your families have been safe and healthy in this strange world we suddenly find ourselves in. It has certainly been an interesting and challenging few months for the Sacred Heart University community, and it has particularly impacted the class of 2020. Not only are they still wondering when it will be safe to gather for a commencement ceremony to celebrate all they achieved here, but many of them are also finding their job offers have been rescinded, their internships are cancelled or postponed, and they are facing the worst job market in many years.

This is why I am reaching out to you now. While many businesses are struggling to survive, and record numbers of Americans are unemployed, I also know that there are some industries and companies that are thriving and even hiring full-time workers. Others may be looking for temporary assistance or consulting. If you are one of the latter, I would like to encourage you to consider candidates who most recently joined the ranks of SHU alumni.

There are several ways you can provide support for them:

• Post an available internship or full-time opportunity with your organization on our online job portal - Handshake
• Contribute a guest blog on a specific topic or encouraging words of advice for students to be posted on the new Career Development portal, SHUconnect. Contact careerdev@sacredheart.edu if you are interested in submitting a topic.
• Have a different idea? Complete the Career & Professional Development Employer Engagement Form

If you are in need of career support yourself, the Center for Career & Professional Development is available to assist by providing resources and guidance that enhance professional, intellectual and personal pursuits. Alumni, who have successfully completed a degree-bearing program at Sacred Heart University, have access to designated staff members who work with our alumni to offer services including resume and cover letter review, interview preparation, job search advice, graduate and professional school advising and career coaching. To schedule an appointment, please visit Handshake or contact Helen Boyke at boykeh@sacredheart.edu.

I know many of you have already given back to both the world and Sacred Heart in so many ways. You have exemplified the mission of this University to go out and make a difference in the world. In just the past few weeks, I have heard countless stories of Pioneers who are out on the front lines in various capacities—putting their own lives at risk to help others make it through this crisis. I am incredibly proud of all of you.

If you are able to help our recent graduates, I hope you will do so. If you are in need of help yourself, come home to SHU and take advantage of the resources available to you.

Whatever your circumstances, I wish you safety and good health.

Go Pioneers!

Fondly,

John J. Petillo, Ph.D.
President